Hong Kong’s welfare minister has defended what he called the “professional judgment” of medical and social workers following the death of a girl shortly after her mother’s death.
Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun spoke to reporters on Thursday following a double tragedy involving a 12-year-old girl and her 48-year-old mother, who both fell to their deaths within hours of each other on Wednesday in Taikoo Shing.
“The girl went to the hospital accompanied by her family” after her mother’s death, Sun said in Cantonese.
“At the hospital, the doctors, nurses and social workers met with her, and they had to make a judgement. I understand they decided (the girl) could go home.”
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Sun said it was understandable that there were concerns about whether it was appropriate to allow the girl to return home.
The girl was accompanied by family members when she was evaluated at the hospital and returned home, Sun added.
“I believe the doctors, nurses and social workers made the decision (to let him go home) at that time based on their professional judgment.”
He said he had no further comment as police were investigating the double tragedy.
The mother, a social worker with the Department of Social Welfare, was found dead on the podium of their residential block at around 9.24am after reportedly having an argument with her daughter over “educational matters”. according to for local media.
At 19:21, about 10 hours later, the police were notified of the girl’s fall at the same address. The girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sun urged people to give the family space and respect their privacy at the time of the tragedy, saying authorities sought to provide immediate support to the father and other family members.
Edward To, director of social welfare, said at the same press conference that government social workers had visited the father after the incident.
Bouquets were seen at the scene in Taikoo Shing after the tragedy, as residents paid tribute to the mother and daughter.
